USA > Michigan > Montcalm County > History of Montcalm County, Michigan its people, industries and institutions...with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families Volume II > Part 45
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On December 24, 1900, Ernest A. Black was married to Minnie Olsen, daughter of Ole and Marie ( Isaacson) Olsen of Winfield township. To the marriage of Ernest A. and Minnie Black have been born six children : Fred, Olena (deceased), Milan, Marjorie, Edmund and Ila, all of whom live at home. Mr. Black and his family are active members of the German Lutheran church, they taking an interested part in the work and worship of this denomination.
In politics, Ernest A. Black is a Republican and although he has taken no especial part in the political efforts of the county, he is respected and esteemed as a citizen having at heart the welfare of the community and as one who gives of his time and lends his influence for the support of measures and men who are interested in the progress and advancement of life and con- ditions in Winfield township and Montcalm county.
ASHER R. NOAH.
Asher R. Noah, the son of William and Hannah ( Goble ) Noah, was born on November 13, 1855, in the state of Ohio and came with his parents to Montcalm county. in 1856, when but six months old.
Asher R. Noah remained at home with his parents until he was twenty- five years of age. Ilis early life was spent in assisting with the work on the farm and attending the common schools of his township. When old enough he assisted the neighbors with their work, in addition to the labor on the home place. After devoting one year to the mill business, he dis- posed of his interests and returned to the home of his parents, at which time he was engaged in the lumber trade and did some speculating on a small scale.
(30b)
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Some time later Mr. Noah was united in marriage to May Albertson, the daughter of Clark and Mary Ellen Albertson and to this union the fol- lowing children were born: Lyndon C., at home; Arthur, a potato buyer ; Earl C., at home, and Mildred at home.
Mr. Noah at the time of his marriage owned forty acres of land, a part of the eighty acres where they now live. The greater part of the orig- inal forty was cleared by the individual efforts of Mr. Noah. By diligence and strict adherence to the duties of his farm, he has succeeded in the establishment of a most comfortable home, surrounded by well-cultivated fields. He believes in intensive farming. so as to get from the soil all that it is capable of producing.
Politically, Mr. Noah is an advocate of the principles of the Republican party, but is not an active politician and has never been an office seeker.
Mr. Noah is a member of the Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324. Ancient Frec and Accepted Masons and of the Even Lodge. Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
GEORGE II. MINARD.
George H. Minard has been very active in local politics for many years and still takes a lively interest in all public questions. He is a liberal supporter of the Congregational church, in which he is a member, and is highly respected as a citizen. In past years he has been active in the agri- cultural interests of this section but is now retired, although he still owns and resides on sixty acres of land in section 27, of Sidney township, about three and three-quarters miles northwest of the town of Sheridan, Mich- igan. He was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on October 2, 1841, and is the son of John and Rebecca (Hilliard) Minard, both natives of Pennsylvania. They were reared in that state and married there, removing to Noble county, Indiana, where John Minard was employed as a railroad operator. He was killed near Galion, Ohio, in 1849, leaving his wife and five children to mourn his loss. Three of these children are now living : Martin, now living in Oregon, who enlisted in Company G, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in the battle of Shilo, near Corinth. Mississippi, being wounded so badly that he was discharged: Margaret .\., wife of Phillip Burlingame, and George H.
George H. Minard was but ten years of age when his parents removed to Noble county, Indiana, receiving his education in that locality. When
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the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Company G, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, on September 2, 1861, and served in the Army of the Cumberland. He remained with this company until the fall of 1862, and then in 1864 he re-enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment, being mustered out on August 30, 1865. He was orderly sergeant of his company and now receives pension for past services. After the war he returned to Noble county, Indiana, and later went to Illinois, but soon returned to Noble county, and thence to Michigan in the winter of 1867. Two years later he returned to Noble county, Indiana, remaining there until the fall of 1871. He then located in Sidney township, Montcalm county, Michigan.
On March 26, 1866, George HI. Minard was united in marriage to Mary T. Barnes, of Noble county, Indiana, whose death occurred in 1878. His second marriage was to Phoebe Hooker, of Montcalm county, Mich- igan, who died four months after their union. He then married Arena McClow and they became the parents of three children: Maud B., wife of Charles Olsen, of Greenville; Arthur B., who married Josephine Olson, and Kittie, who married Clay White, of Sheridan, Michigan.
George IT. Minard is a member of the Tom Custer Post No. 178. Grand Army of the Republic, and in his fraternal relations he is a member of the Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324. Free and Accepted Masons, being the eldest brother of the organization and has served in every office save that of master. Mr. Minard and his wife are members of the Congregational church.
JAMES DEYOUNG.
James De Young has been identified with church and civic affairs of Evergreen township, Montcalm county, Michigan, for the past seventeen years and more. He was born on January 6. 1852, in Grand Rapids, Michi- gan and is the son of William and Mary ( Menderhonghst ) De Young. William De Young was born in New Amsterdam, Holland, and immigrated to America with his parents. James De Young and his wife. They located immediately in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they were engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. James lived on his farm until he was very aged and then moved to Grand Rapids, where his death occurred. Mary Menderhoughst, also, was a native of Holland and immigrated to the United States with a young woman, locating in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Here she was married
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to William De Young, who was engaged in the mill business in and around Grand Rapids until during the last four or five years of his life. They then removed to Crystal township. Montcalm county, where his death occurred.
James De Young followed his parents to Crystal township and on Octo- ber 2, 1873, he was married to Henrietta Garlow, who died after a few years of wedded life. On December 8, 1880, he was married to Libby Sinkey, daughter of Abe Sinkey, and to them were born these children : Wilbert H .. Perry and Nina J. Wilbert IT. died when two years of age; Perry J. lives in Montcalm county and Nina J. is the wife of Earl Chapin, who operates a portion of her father's farm. This place is devoted to the raising of var- ous kinds of fruit and is called "Fruit Farm."
Jamies De Young was employed in the mill business for twelve years after his arrival in Stanton, Michigan, purchasing a farm at this time on which he has continued to live until the present time. The original property consisted of forty acres but has since been added to, until at the present time it contains seventy-five acres. Mr. DeYoung and his wife are members of the Methodist church in Stanton, Michigan, in which denomination he is steward and has been superintendent of same for seventeen years. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of the Maccabees, in the Stanton lodge, while his political affiliations are with the Republican party. He has served on the township board of review and for three years past has been acting as school director.
GEORGE A. KRUM.
George A. Krum is of pioneer parentage and was born on September 28, 1872, in Kent county, Michigan, just north and west of the town of Lowell. He is one of the representative agriculturists of this section, being the owner of three hundred acres of well improved land in Evergreen and Day townships, Montcalm county, Michigan. The farm is owned by George A. Krum and his uncle, George W. Krum. This property is located four miles east of Stanton. George A. Krum is the son of Edwin and Temper- ance ( Evans) Krum, natives of Vergennes, Kent county, Michigan, and Canada, respectively. Edwin Krum was the son of Abraham Krum, who came from Ulster county, New York, and purchased government land at a very early date. Temperance Evans was the daughter of John Evans. They were married in Kent county, and Edwin Krum died there at thirty- five years of age, his widow later marrying Del Krum. She is now a widow
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and still lives in Lowell, Michigan. By her first union she was the mother of two children, Helen, who died when young, and George A.
George A. Krum remained under the parental roof until he was eighteen years of age, at that time engaging in various kinds of employment until he was twenty-one. On January 17, 1893, he was united in marriage to Jessie Epley, daughter of Henry and Phoebe Epley, and to them were born four children, two of whom are now living: Maurice, who married Mary Mosier and they have one child, Keith; Herbert, who died at the age of eight months: Russell, who lived at the age of eight months, and Marion, who is six years of age. The mother of these children was born in Montcalm county, Michigan. After their marriage George A. Krum and wife lived on their farm in Kent county until thirteen years ago, at which time they moved to where they now reside, known as the "Westerwax Place." George A. Krum is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Stanton Lodge No. 202. also of the Encampment. Politically, he is a stanch Republican. He raises mixed stock, horses and mules and carries on general farming.
JOHN A. GOLDEN.
John A. Golden has been identified with the business and agricultural life of Montcalm county, Michigan, for a great many years and has oper- ated the Golden Hotel for more than ten years, being its builder and man- ager. He is a native of this state and his birth occurred on November 26, 1869, in Ottawa county, where his boyhood days were spent on the home farm. His education was received in the district schools of Ottawa county, where his studies were discontinued at the age of seventeen. He then removed to North Dakota, where he remained for a period of two years, returning to his boyhood home to engage in the pursuit of agriculture which he followed for six years. On April 18, 1893, John A. Golden was united in marriage to Elizabeth McCarthy, a former schoolmate and neighbor, and to them have been born three children: Edward, a graduate of the local high school and now a student of the Michigan State University; Bernard, a graduate of the high school, and Donald, who is a student of the high school.
After his marriage John A. Golden rented his father's farm for six years at six hundred dollars per year, subsequently moving to Spring Lake
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where he became identified with the business interests of that place for a short time. He then located in Coopersville, Michigan, for two years after which he purchased a hotel in Cedar Springs and operated it for two years. Following this venture he came to Howard City, which is now his home. The Golden Hotel is the only one in Montcalm county that has not changed hands five or six times since local option has ruled politics. Mr. Golden is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Big Rapids. Michigan, while his wife is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. Formerly he was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, but now votes independently.
Elizabeth ( McCarthy) Golden, prior to her marriage, was a teacher in the public schools and has been a constant help and inspiration to her hus- band in his commercial and domestic relations. She is the daughter of John and Bridget ( Maloney ) MeCarthy and received her education in the Spring Lake schools, having graduated from the high school of that town. Her parents were both natives of Ireland and immigrated to America prior to their marriage. They married in Ottawa county, Michigan, and remained there until death, the husband following farming. which vocation resulted in prosperity in return for his well-directed efforts.
JOHN II. MITCHELL.
John H. Mitchell is one of the active agriculturists of Montcalm county, Michigan, who have earned a comfortable competency from the soil. He was born on September 22, 1875, in Bloomer township, Mont- calm county, Michigan, and is the son of J. W. and Malissa (Boughey) Mitchell. J. W. Mitchell was born in Vermont and came with his parents, Charles K. and Harriett ( Peabody) Mitchell, to Michigan in 1855. His birth occurred in 1840. They located immediately in Bushnell township, Montcalm county, purchasing eighty acres of land on which they resided until death. Harriet (Peabody) Mitchell died on August 19, 1895, her husband having preceded her by two years.
J. W. Mitchell remained under the parental roof until his marriage to Malissa Boughey, at which time he purchased a place in Bloomer town- ship, Montcalm county, Michigan. This farm was virgin soil and unin- proved but was so well managed and cultivated that it became one of the best farms in the state. At his death J. W. Mitchell was the owner of
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three hundred acres of land, all of which he had acquired through thrift and well-directed effort. Eighty acres of this land was the original home place, which his father had purchased on his arrival in this state. Malissa (Boughey ) Mitchell was born in Ohio and came to Michigan with her parents when a young woman. They located in Bushnell township where her marriage was solemnized. J. W. Mitchell and his wife were the parents of these children : Julia, who is the wife of Frank Nole and lives in Ellen- dale, North Dakota; Olive Laverne is the wife of C. W. Cahoon and their home is in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Peter C. lives in Brooksville, Florida; John H .; Daisy, wife of Robert Bliss and living in lonia township, Ionia county, Michigan. J. W. Mitchell was a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324, Free and Accepted Masons.
John H. Mitchell was reared on the home place, remaining there until twenty-one years of age, which was one year after his marriage. This event took place on June 26, 1895. at which time he was wedded to Rachel Belyou, daughter of Patrick and Margaret Belyou, who were the parents of eight children, namely: Catherine, wife of George Tyler, living in Ontario, Canada : Margaret, wife of Fred Feller, of Ionia, Michigan ; Mary, wife of Osner C. Osborn: Isabella, wife of Dallas A. Fowler, living in Taber. Alberta, Canada: James C. lives in Evergreen township, Montcalm county; Andrew, deceased; Rachel, and George, deceased. Patrick Belyon was born in Belfast, Ireland, and at the age of fifteen years ran away from home and emigrated to America. locating in Springfield. Ohio, where he worked in the powder mills until 1861. He then enlisted for service in the Civil War, being mustered into Company D, Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving under Captain Tully. After the close of the conflict he located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where he remained for four years, thence removing to a place near there where he purchased fifty acres of land and lived until his entire family were reared, with the excep- tion of the youngest child. They came to Michigan in 1877 and located in Kent county, where they settled on forty acres of land which he had pur- chased. Eight years later they removed to Montcalm county, Michigan, where he invested in forty acres of land in Bushnell township. After eight years spent on that place they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Evergreen township. remaining on this property until death. On June 6. 1893, the death of Patrick Belyou occurred and his wife followed on August 30. 1913.
John IT. Mitchell rented a farm in Crystal township, Montcalm county. Michigan, soon after his marriage, removing in two years to Carson City.
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Michigan, where he engaged in the livery business for one year. He then rented the farm of his father for one year, at which time he began the management of one hundred and sixty acres owned by his wife's mother and which he now owns. In the spring of 1915 they removed to the place where they now live. This farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres, located northeast of the town of Sheridan, Michigan. John H. Mitchell is serving his third term as township supervisor of Evergreen township, having been elected on the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Gleaners.
MERTON D. GATES.
Merton D. Gates is the owner and manager of the potato farm known as the "Oasis," and which is located southeast of Stanton, in Evergreen township, Montcalm county, Michigan. He has also been closely identified with the fraternal, political and educational activities of this locality. He was born on May 29, 1876, in Willets, Courtland county, New York, and is the son of George H. and Evaline A. (Smith) Gates. George H. Gates was the son of Simon Gates, who was a Yankee, while his wife was a French woman.
George H. Gates was left an orphan at the age of ten years and re- mained in his native state until several years after his marriage to Evaline A. Smith. She was the daughter of Thomas Smith, who came from Eng- land, but she was a native of Courtland county, New York. When Merton D. Gates was five years of age his parents located in Maple Rapids, Clinton county, Michigan, where they remained for two years. His father followed the trade of harness-maker until 1883, at which time the family moved to Stanton, Michigan, where they lived for four years. Sometime later they purchased forty acres of land on which they remained until death, Merton D. Gates then assuming charge of the place. They were the parents of two children, Jesse L. and Merton D.
Merton D. Gates remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, receiving his education in the common schools of the township. At the age of twenty-one he opened a shop on his savings, and this place was operated for a period of two and one-half years. He then took possession of the present farm which he has improved and operated ever since. On April 22, 1901, Merton D. Gates was married to Emily A. Frisbey, daugh-
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ter of Joseph and Martha (Wood) Frisbey, and they are the parents of six children: Elmer H., Wesley L., Lyman B., Wilda May, Lea I. and Orvis Fay. The parents of Emily A. (Frisbey) Gates came from Putnam county, Ohio, in 1899 and located in Sidney township, Montcalm county, Michigan, where their daughter met and married Mr. Gates.
Politically, Merton D. Gates is affiliated with the Republican party, serving as justice of the peace for the past six years. His fraternal rela- tions are with the Pine Grove Lodge No. 202, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Encampment No. 89 and Canton, Montcalm, No. 18. He is also a member of the Evergreen circle of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and of the Equitable Fraternal Union. As treasurer of the Haines school district No. 8, he has served faithfully and well, also as school moderator. His farm of two hundred acres, which he has acquired by well-directed effort, is an example of what energy and thrift will accomplish.
ALBERT MADISON.
Albert Madison is a native of Nakskor, Lolland, Denmark, and is one of the stable, honest citizens of Sidney township, Montcalm county, Michigan. He was born on January 5, 1863, and is the son of John and Christina (Jacobson) Madison, both natives of Denmark. Parents and children emigrated to America in 1872, arriving on May 24 in the port of New York, and came direct to Sidney township, this county, where John Madison engaged in the shoemaking trade, which he had followed in his native land. On December 28, 1893, the wife and mother passed way, and her husband is now residing with his son, Albert Madison. The names of their children follow: Albert, Millie, wife of William Foss, of Chicago Illinois; Lou, who died in 1914; Martin, living in Kent county, Michigan; James, also living in Kent county; Hannah, wife of George Everson, of Windsor, Canada; Emma, wife of Peter Jensen, of Sidney township; Rosa, wife of Walter Nelson, of Sidney, township, and Flora, wife of Elza Van Ellen.
Albert Madison came to America with his parents when he was nine years of age, beginning his effort toward the support of the family when he reached the age of twelve years. He was employed as a farm hand until he was eighteen years of age, at that time engaging in the lumber business in the capacity of woodsman and saw-mill operator, continuing in this
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occupation until the age of twenty-six. He then purchased a farm of forty acres on which he has since resided. .
On June 8, 1893, Albert Madison was married to Bina Rassmussen, daughter of John Rassmussen, and of this union three children have been born: Milo, Lucile and another who died in infancy. Bina Rassmussen was born in Denmark and emigrated to the United States with her parents when a baby in arms. She and husband are both members of the Danish Lutheran church and of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, of Sidney, Michigan. Politically, Mr. Madison is affiliated with the Republican party. In his fraternal relations, he is a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324 Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. Albert Madison is a good farmer and has acquired a comfortable com- petency through sheer effort and energy. His property consists of one hundred and fifty acres of land, located four miles west of Sheridan, Michi- gan, and two and one-half miles south and one mile west of Sidney. His present comfortable home was built in 1893. Since then Mr. Madison has built a good barn and other outbuildings, and now has his place well equipped for general farming and stock raising.
WILLIAM M. CLARK.
Among the leading men engaged in farming and stock raising in Ever- green township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is William M. Clark, owner of "Hill Crest Stock and Fruit Farm," who was born in Leonidas township, St. Joseph county, Michigan, on April 6, 1872, the son of Albert and Rosa- mond J. (Davis) Clark, natives of Erie county, New York, and of the state of Ohio, respectively.
Albert Clark became an orphan when he was quite young, after which he lived with an uncle in New York state until he was twenty-five years of age, when he went to the state of Ohio, and there, after some time, he was married to Rosamond Davis, who was the daughter of his employer. Later, with his wife, Mr. Clark moved to Leonidas, St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he purchased eighty acres of land on which he lived as a general farmer for the remainder of his days. Following the death of Albert Clark, his widow and children came to Montcalm county, the mother dying in this county about one year later. Albert and Rosamond Clark were the parents of six children, namely: Ida. the wife of Mottram Hill, of
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Kalamazoo county, Michigan; Bertha, the wife of Stratton Pomeroy, of Mishawaka, Indiana; Edward, a carpenter, living with his brother, William Mi., the subject of this sketch; Mellie, who is deceased, and Orma M., who lives on a farm in Evergreen township.
William M. Clark received his education in the common schools of St. Joseph county, Michigan, after which he worked on the home farm until 1897, when he came to Montcalm county, and purchased a farm of eighty acres in section II, Evergreen township, to which place Mr. Clark has since added forty acres. On his land in Evergreen township William M. Clark now is successfully engaged in general farming and in the raising of high grade live stock.
On April 11, 1894, William M. Clark was married to Manty Simons, a daughter of James Simons and wife, of Kalamazoo county. To the marriage of William M. and Manty Clark have been born seven children: Eva Belle is the wife of Glen McCarty, who after graduating from the Stanton high school and normal school, became a student of the Ferris Institute of Big Rapids, and is now teaching in Big Rapids; Ada H., who is a graduate of the Stanton high school and who has completed her course of study at the Stanton Normal School; Rosamond, a student of the Stanton high school, and Harlow H., Ethel, Edith and Ida, who live at home. Mr. Clark and his wife are active members of the Baptist church at Crystal, Michigan.
William M. Clark is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners at Evergreen Center, and is a citizen who takes a nactive interest in the affairs of the Republican party in Montcalm county.
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